Dementia, and specifically Alzheimer's, is a serious, growing problem. In fact, 1 out of every 10 adults over the age of 65 has Alzheimer’s dementia. As Anderson’s senior population continues to grow (2.05% growth between 2014 and 2019), so does the concern about aging and the risk of cognitive impairment.
In Anderson, the number of deaths for those 65 and older caused or partly caused by Alzheimer’s disease decreased by 10% between 2014 and 2019. Overall, the percentage of seniors’ deaths related to Alzheimer’s is higher than the rest of the nation (9.12% in Anderson vs. 6.46% in the U.S.).
To help families and caregivers of those with Alzheimer’s or other forms of cognitive impairment find the support and care their loved ones need, we applied our unique methodology and spent dozens of hours researching senior living communities in Anderson. In addition to an overview of the communities’ best features, this guide highlights the best memory care facilities in the city, and gives information about pricing, types of care provided, residents’ reviews, and more.
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, 83% of all caregivers are unpaid family members, relatives, or other friends, and nearly half of all care is for older adults with some form of dementia. Caregiving, especially when it involves Alzheimer’s or dementia, is extremely exhausting and time-consuming, leading many caregivers to feel isolated and overwhelmed.
As a loved one continues to progress through the stages of dementia and his or her cognitive abilities continue to decline, behavioral problems, safety, and general care often become more than one caregiver can handle. This is when it’s important to find extra help, and residential facilities that have specialized memory care programs are often the best solution.
In addition to providing a safe environment, memory care programs seek to delay or halt cognitive decline while providing the opportunity for a social, independent lifestyle.
To choose the best memory care facilities in Anderson, our team of researchers started by using our unique methodology to develop a list of contenders. We further refined the list in the next phase of our process by completing hands-on research for each one of the companies that we developed. Finally, we compiled online reviews from residents and families and wrote summaries of each facility that made it through our selection process.
Overall, our team:
Belvedere Commons of Seneca offers an innovative memory care program, known as the Village Program, that focuses on three core areas: Reflect, Rejoice and Renew. To encourage its memory care residents to reflect, Village Program provides personalized programming that immerses residents in activities that reflect their former lifestyles, interests and schedules while helping them gain a sense of safety and accomplishment. Residents can choose from an event calendar full of activities carefully designed to offer cognitive, emotional, purposeful, spiritual and social benefits, such as arts and crafts, English tea time, word games, storytelling, bingo buddies, card games and church services. For physical wellness, residents can participate in activities such as fitness classes and various therapies. The memory care neighborhood of this community is designed to avoid excess stimulation while providing landmarks and sensory cues to support residents independence.
Family members rave about how polite the staff is. A son-in-law writes, "The people were polite and the residents appeared well-cared for. We were very comfortable putting my mother-in-law there. They have games, classes, cooking, and enough activities to keep her busy. The staff is very polite, we couldn't be happier. She loves the food there as well
Brookdale Hartwell offers the ambiance of a Southern-style home paired with a high level of care. For residents living with Alzheimers and other dementias, the Clare Bridge program provides personalized support tailored around their needs, from early-stage memory loss to those who require further assistance in later stages. All caregivers are highly trained in the latest dementia care techniques, helping with bathing, medication and personal care while keeping residents engaged in the days programming. From dance classes to journaling, sharing stories and taking trips to local attractions, seniors enjoy a lively lifestyle. Clare Bridge is a welcoming environment filled with natural light, with walls painted in soothing colors and easy-to-navigate floor plans with comforting common areas, including an arts studio, game room and beauty salon/barbershop. A 24-hour security system with doorbells to monitor movement boosts peace of mind.
Visitors are impressed by the friendly ambiance. "I really liked Brookdale Hartwell. The staff was wonderful," says one. "Everything was nice and clean. It's a cheerful place. They have people who come in and play the piano and sing, they have an area where they gather, watch TV together, play cards, and do different activities."
Cascades Verdae is an active senior living neighborhood that helps residents maintain their independent lifestyles while enjoying a wide range of social activities, wellness programs and resort-style amenities. The community's Reflections program provides nurturing and compassionate care for those with Alzheimer's and dementia. Using aqua therapy, cognitive thinking games, outdoor walks and music, caregivers encourage residents to recollect memories, process information and use reasoning skills. Chef-prepared meals are served daily in the restaurant, and seniors can enjoy anytime snacks. The Cascades Verdae campus includes a salon, a spa, a library, a bar, gathering rooms and courtyards. Transportation is provided to off-site appointments, shopping and outings. Caregivers are available 24/7 to assist with bathing, medication, dressing and mobility needs. Staff members perform housekeeping and laundry services weekly along with regular apartment maintenance. Cascades Verdae is a pet-friendly community.
Residents and family members appreciate the quality of living at Cascades Verdae. One reviewer said, "The community itself is stunning - no attention to detail is missed, from the beautifully appointed villas and homes to the gorgeous grounds and gardens. But it is truly the staff that sets them apart. They are kind, they are caring and they go above and beyond the call of duty time and time again."
Fairview Park is a memory care community that engages residents while keeping them safe and taking care of their daily needs. Residents participate in the SPIRIT program, which adjusts activities and care approaches for each resident. Caregivers serve memory care residents 24/7, managing their medication and providing individual attention. Fairview Park also offers brain and memory enhancement programs that can preserve some cognitive function and help to delay memory loss. This community accommodates individual dietary needs and allows residents to help select menu items. Residents receive housekeeping services as well as assistance with hygienic routines, laundry and other areas of personal care. One-bedroom apartments and studio apartments are available.
Reviewers offer positive remarks about Fairview Park and its caregivers. One relative states, "My mother is doing very good at Fairview Park. The staff is giving her great care. She has been playing bingo there which she likes to do, the staff is very good; I can't think of anything that's not good about the staff."
Just minutes off of I-85 and offering quick access to Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport and Prisma Health Patewood Hospital, Greenville Place provides memory care and assisted living services to its resident seniors. The community's memory care program is molded around flexible and individualized treatment that includes mental stimulation, physical fitness and social interaction. Caregiving staff and licensed nurses are available at all hours to provide help with basic tasks, such as grooming and bathing; they also provide assistance with medication and perform wellness checks. The food is a major part of the community's experience, with friendly bake-off competitions and cooking projects presenting opportunities for residents to engage with their neighbors. Seniors who enjoy the outdoors can take a stroll along the secure walking path or chat over tea on the community's stately wraparound porch.
Relatives and visitors tend to mention Greenville Place's kind and energetic caregivers. "The staff at Greenville Place are among the friendliest I have seen!" writes one visiting health care professional. "No matter what department they work in, there are smiling faces and an eagerness to help. They truly encourage a family-like atmosphere and respond well to [residents'] needs."
Conveniently located in the picturesque city of Simpsonville, South Carolina, Harmony at Five Forks is a short drive from the historic downtown Greenville and the Amphitheatre by the Lake at Furman University. The memory care program of this community offers a home-like care neighborhood, a highly trained team of caregivers and a high caregiver-to-resident ratio. The care team is trained in the Best Friends Approach to memory care that encourages social engagement among the staff, residents and family members to promote emotional, spiritual and physical wellbeing. The staff is available 24 hours a day through an emergency call system. A Life Enrichment Director works with the residents to develop stimulating opportunities for physical wellbeing and intellectual vigors, such as word games, music trivia, fitness classes and movie nights. A chef on-staff prepares delicious meals every day made from fresh ingredients.
Family members love the responsive staff and the delicious food. A daughter writes, "The staff has been very responsive to any request that we have had or any issues that have come up. My mom gets a ride to church every Sunday. The food is good. There is a library. There are a variety of activities.
Marchbanks Assisted Living and Memory Care provides personalized senior care in a lively environment, with services tailored around each residents needs. The community's 24-hour supervised care includes as-needed support with activities such as grooming, ambulation, eating and bathing. The entire team is highly trained in memory care; by encouraging residents' participation in daily activities, they help support both physical and mental well-being. Programming is aimed at reducing confusion and focusing on residents talents. Cooking classes, arts and crafts sessions, educational opportunities and social activities are all part of the lifestyle, along with scheduled transportation to off-site attractions. Physical, occupational and speech therapy are offered on-site, and emergency medical pendants are available to ensure rapid response to urgent health needs.
Loved ones like the community's kind staff and range of diversions. "It has a wonderful, knowledgeable, caring, concerned, and friendly staff," writes one relative of a resident. "They have activities, like bingo, playing the piano, singing songs, and reading Bible stories. It is really sweet. There is something going on all the time. They keep everybody busy."
Memory Care of Simpsonville is designed to be an easy-to-navigate community for residents with Alzheimers or dementia. Residents retain a sense of routine and maintain independence through a wide variety of daily activities that incorporate physical and occupational-therapy-based tasks, such as preparing snacks, making a bed or setting the dining room table, that provides a sense of individual accomplishment. Regularly scheduled activities include art and pet therapy, baking and cooking, gardening and continuing education. Residents are encouraged to reminisce about past experiences and take part in stage-appropriate activities and hobbies. Nutritionally balanced chef-prepared meals, personalized plans and round-the-clock care from dedicated staff await those who stay at Memory Care of Simpsonville, whether its for respite or long-term memory care.
People love the layout of the community. As one relative says, "The place is built like a circle, so even if she wanders around, she'll come back into the main dining area. Each hallway where the rooms are set off around the side, had different colors, so she would know which color to go to for her room.
North Pointe provides a safe place for seniors with memory care needs to live and socialize with others while in a secure environment. This community re-creates the atmosphere of being at home, so seniors can relax as they participate in specialized activities for those with dementia and similar conditions. Residents also receive consistent stimulation through a variety of physical activities and cognitive challenges that help preserve their functions as much as possible. North Pointe offers memory care residents a variety of opportunities to socialize by providing access to a lounge, piano and courtyard. Chef-prepared meals are served three times a day. Memory care residents In North Pointe live in semi-private studio rooms.
Reviewers are happy about the treatment that residents receive at North Pointe. One reviewer says, "This is a wonderful place with compassionate workers who love each resident and treat them like family. They always try to make the residents comfortable and engaged in different activities daily. I would definitely recommend to anyone who is looking for a senior living community!"
Pendleton Manor is a vibrant assisted living and memory care neighborhood conveniently located in the heart of downtown Greenville, South Carolina. The community's memory care program focuses on providing specialized care and enriching the lives of those living with Alzheimer's and other kinds of dementia. Its team of professional caregivers is available 24 hours a day to supervise and lend seniors a hand with dressing, grooming, bathing and medications. In addition to physical, occupational and speech therapy, visiting doctors and other specialists provide health, lab and X-ray services. A variety of social activities, including book clubs, card games, arts and crafts sessions, and weekly outings help keep seniors engaged with others. Each day, residents are served three nutritious meals in the dining area, as well as snacks. Pendleton Manor provides housekeeping, laundry and complimentary shuttle service to appointments in the local area.
Family members applaud the community for its exceptional environment and staff. "[Pendleton Manor] is always very clean Everyone is just super great. They treat the patients like their family I am really pleased with it," writes one resident's daughter. Says another daughter, "I cannot think of a better place for my mom to be at this stage of her life!"
Summit Place provides memory care, assisted living and independent living on an attractive campus that's about a half-hour drive southwest from Greenville, South Carolina. The community's holistic Magnolia Trails memory care program is designed to spark recollections by engaging seniors through all their senses and providing activity options specific to each senior's interests and needs. Physical exercise sessions, brain stimulation programming and social activity events work in conjunction to keep residents alert, engaged and entertained. Summit Place's staff handles housekeeping and meal preparation responsibilities, in addition to taking care of any necessary apartment maintenance. Seniors who wish to explore the Anderson area can take advantage of the community's local transportation options or join one of the regularly scheduled group outings.
The community's upbeat staff and cheerful environment are often approvingly mentioned by visitors. "Summit Place is a beautiful, well-maintained and very clean facility," writes one. "The staff is compassionate and caring and make their residents, the families of residents, and visitors feel right at home I highly recommend Summit Place of Anderson."
The Gables on Pelham Assisted Living offers a memory care program that combines a welcoming atmosphere, a secure setting and a highly-trained care team. The Pelham Assisted Living memory care team stays up-to-date on the latest memory care techniques through ongoing training. They help residents with everyday personal care activities, such as dressing, bathing, eating, laundry, medication management and housework. Caregivers take a person-centered approach that preserves each residents individuality while ensuring everyone feels a sense of purpose and belonging. A licensed nurse updates and oversees each residents care plan and continuously adapts it to the residents evolving needs. The staff on-site is accessible 24 hours a day through an emergency alert system. Residents can participate in many engaging activities, such as walking clubs, arts and crafts, afternoon socials, live music and fitness classes.
Family members love the staff's caring and friendly demeanor. One daughter writes, "The staff is very caring and very friendly. The food smelled really, really wonderful. They have an excellent woman who is leading the activities. She reads to them, plays memory games with them, and then they reminisce about the old days.
The Garden House of Anderson offers memory care and assisted living to residents in an exclusive neighborhood. Residents who require assistance with memory care have access to weekly scheduled activities and events to stay engaged, including bingo nights, live entertainment, magic shows, day trips to local shops and group outings to restaurants. Open floor plans give seniors the comfort of being surrounded by other community members while also providing space for independence. The on-site restaurant prepares a full breakfast, lunch and dinner service and includes a changing menu that is made with fresh and nutritional ingredients, as well as themed nights and monthly parties. Residents also have access to amenities such as a beauty salon and barbershop, fitness classes, spiritual services and an outdoor garden and patio.
A family member of a resident spoke highly about the staff, saying, "My father is at Garden House. Has been there since 2015. The rooms are spacious and I can't say enough about the staff. They are so caring, friendly and I always walk through the front door to smiles from all. Absolutely the best community in Anderson SC."
The Legacy at Southpointe Drive's Pathways to Discovery program helps seniors with Alzheimer's disease and dementia remain happy, active and engaged in purposeful relationships and activities. By incorporating life skills and music and art therapy into residents' daily regimen, caregivers help seniors maintain their dignity as well as their connections to their own personal hobbies and interests. The community's chefs emphasize the presentation of each day's freshly prepared menu options to make each meal as visually appealing as it is delicious. All the meals and snacks are made to order, and memory care residents are free to order off of the menu at times that are convenient for them. Small pets are welcome to live with their owners here.
This community means a lot to family members. One says, "My mom was in the assisted living and then the memory care and she received such loving care during her time there. She would often say they are so good to me, even when I am not all that nice to them."
The Palmettos of Mauldin Assisted Living is a senior living community located in Greenville, SC. Within the community, The Dunes is a specialized and secured neighborhood for residents with memory care needs. The Dunes includes secured entryways and outdoor areas to ensure safety while navigating as well as private and shared residences ready to furnish with favorite belongings from home. The trained staff members, on hand for routine care needs, get to know each resident personally. These close relationships ensure continuous monitoring of residents' daily behaviors, providing keys to the evolving daily moods associated with memory diseases and allowing staff to best plan residents' daily schedules. Structured programming promotes engagement and enrichment for those with memory impairments, featuring group exercise sessions, creative time for hobbies and continued brain fitness through cognitive workouts and favorite games.
Residents and their families praise the community for the care and assistance given at every step of the assisted living process. One family member says, "The staff has been very helpful during this transition time for my mother. They have been patient with her and willing to answer all of our questions."
The Parker an Inspirit Senior Living Community offers a variety of studio and one-bedroom apartments with spacious closets and private wheelchair-accessible full baths. Residents with dementia and other memory impairments are compassionately cared for and treated with respect in the community's Sage memory care program. Trained 24-hour staff help seniors with daily living tasks and medications. An on-site physician provides personalized health care services as needed. Planned social events, recreational activities, religious services and special outings keep seniors engaged throughout the day. Sage memory care residents are served home-cooked meals that help bring back memories of familiar tastes, sights and smells. Short-term respite care is also available for older adults recovering from surgery or whenever their caregiver needs a break. Other services provided at The Parker, include housekeeping, laundry, barber/beautician and transportation.
Visitors were impressed with the memory care unit at The Parker. One family member wrote, "We went to visit The Parker in Greenville. It was good, it's very nice, and everybody there was very nice. We enjoyed the visit to their memory care unit."
The Pearl at Five Forks manages the highs and lows of its residents living with dementia and Alzheimer's disease. Its memory care neighborhood features relevant memorabilia that spark active reminiscing and personal items from each resident that make it feel like a familiar, comfortable living space. Trained caregivers oversee the community's Live, Love, Learn program, which incorporates occupational, social, physical, spiritual and cognitive activities to promote emotional wellness and provide each resident with a sense of purpose. Three nutritious meals are served each day, and assistance with dressing, grooming and bathing is provided.
Spouses recommend this community highly. One says, "It's been a wonderful experience at The Pearl at Five Forks. My husband has been there for a little while now. The staff is very good, and I'm very pleased with the facility. They have activities like all the other facilities. The only difference is the people are allowed to walk around."
Life at The Residences at Park Place provides comfort and assistance to its residents in a peaceful setting in Seneca, minutes away from the Greenville health system and Prisma Health Oconee Memorial hospital. The community provides a nurturing and secure environment for residents with Alzheimers, dementia and other memory loss impairments. Trained staff assists with activities of daily living, including medication management, and coordinates with outside healthcare providers for the health and wellness of the residents. Seniors have access to a library, sunroom, secure courtyards, on-site chapel, spacious common areas and a saloon. Caregivers create individualized care plans called Personalized Wellness Profile to meet the specific needs of the residents. Seniors can savor chef-prepared nutritional and delicious meals served in restaurant-style dining. Regular physical therapy sessions assist residents with their mobility needs. Weekly housekeeping and laundry services are also available.
Residents praise the professional staff of the community. One writes, "The Residences at Park Place is great and clean. The food is good, and they have ample servings and always dessert. The staff is fine, gives me my medication on a timely basis, and keeps my apartment very clean. There are always activities, like watching movies.
For over 20 years, The Springs at Simpsonville has provided senior care in the heart of downtown Simpsonville, South Carolina. The memory care program at The Springs creates personal connections with its residents while implementing cutting-edge technology. The Friends for Life program celebrates residents' unique life stories and favorite pastimes, while preserving personal independence. In addition to compassionate personal care, The Springs utilizes technology such as CaraSyst proprietary care planning, which monitors and shares information with loved ones and physicians. Every memory care resident has an in-room touch screen that can be used to play music, display photographs and receive messages from loved ones.
Reviewers note the attentiveness and care from staff, with one saying, "I cannot say enough good about The Springs. The level of caring, attention and support of the staff is unparalleled."
Waterstone on Augusta is a senior living community designed to accommodate residents with memory-related challenges. This care neighborhood serves residents at all stages of memory loss and creates a structured environment where residents are kept safe and attended to at all times. Caregivers use a variety of methods such as games and physical exercises to help slow the cognitive decline of residents with dementia. Residents also receive assistance with daily routines and hygiene needs. Family members can participate in workshops that better equip them to deal with their loved ones' memory challenges. This community provides several amenities to make residents more comfortable, such as lounge spaces, TV rooms and fitness areas. Several kinds of therapy services are available here. Waterstone on Augusta offers one and two-bedroom apartments and studio apartments. Companion suites are available.
Many reviewers are satisfied with the level of care at Waterstone on Augusta and feel pleased with caregivers. One person says, "My family loves Waterstone! They take such great care of our uncle, and the facility is so nice and clean."